from יָלַד; birth; Moladah, a place in Palestine; Moladah.
Transliteration:Môwlâdâh
Pronunciation:mo-law-daw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4137}}` (Môwlâdâh) is primarily a proper noun, designating a specific geographical location. Its etymology, however, is deeply rooted in the verb `{{H3205}}` (yālad), meaning "to bear, bring forth, beget." Thus, the name Môwlâdâh conceptually signifies "birth" or "place of birth/origin." While the base definition points to the act of "birth," Môwlâdâh itself is not used as a common noun for "birth" in the biblical text but rather as a landmark, a town whose name likely carried this foundational meaning for its inhabitants or those who named it. It suggests a place of beginning or establishment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H4137}}` (Môwlâdâh) appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently as a town in the southern region of ancient Israel:
* **[[Joshua 15:26]]**: Moladah is listed among the cities in the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, specifically within the Negeb (southern district). It is part of a cluster of towns including Shema, Adadah, Beth-pelet, and Hazar-shual, indicating its location within a defined administrative and geographical area.
* **[[Joshua 19:2]]**: The town reappears in the list of cities allotted to the tribe of Simeon. Simeon's inheritance was situated *within* the territory of Judah, highlighting the complex and sometimes overlapping nature of tribal land distribution. This repetition underscores its importance as a recognized settlement.
* **[[1 Chronicles 4:28]]**: Moladah is again mentioned in the genealogical and geographical record of the tribe of Simeon, confirming its enduring association with that tribe during the period chronicled. This consistent placement in tribal lists reinforces its status as a settled and recognized place within the divinely apportioned land. In all contexts, Moladah functions as a geographical marker, testifying to the fulfillment of God's promise of land to Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root verb `{{H3205}}` (yālad), from which Môwlâdâh is derived. This root signifies the act of "bearing, bringing forth, or giving birth," and extends to concepts of begetting and lineage. Another closely related noun is `{{H4138}}` (môwledeth), which directly means "birth, lineage, kindred, or native land/place of birth." While `{{H4137}}` is a proper noun, `{{H4138}}` is the common noun that embodies the core concept of "birth" and "origin." The presence of a place named "Moladah" could therefore imply a location significant for its origin, the birth of a community, or a foundational settlement. Conceptually, it connects to themes of inheritance, tribal identity, the establishment of communities, and the fulfillment of God's promises regarding the land of Canaan.
### Theological Significance
Though a geographical name, the etymological root of `{{H4137}}` (Môwlâdâh) carries subtle theological weight. Its derivation from "birth" may suggest a place of foundational significance, perhaps where a community was "born" or established. More broadly, the consistent mention of Moladah in the tribal allotments of Judah and Simeon speaks to God's meticulous and faithful fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham regarding the land ([[Genesis 12:7]], [[Genesis 15:18]]). Each named city, including Moladah, represents a tangible manifestation of divine faithfulness. The sharing of the city between Judah and Simeon (Simeon's inheritance being within Judah's) illustrates the intricate divine ordering of the land and the interweaving of tribal destinies, all under God's sovereign plan. The naming of places in ancient Israel often carried a reflection of their history or significance, and "Moladah" may hint at a divine hand in the "birth" or establishment of this particular settlement within the promised land.
### Summary
`{{H4137}}` (Môwlâdâh) is a Hebrew proper noun designating a town in the Negeb, derived from the verb `{{H3205}}` (yālad), meaning "to bear" or "give birth." It appears in the books of Joshua and 1 Chronicles, consistently listed among the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah and subsequently to Simeon within Judah's territory. Its significance lies not in its direct use as a common noun for "birth," but in its function as a specific geographical landmark within the divinely apportioned land of Israel. As part of the tribal inheritances, Moladah silently attests to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to His people, establishing them securely within their designated territories.
TRV